I am doing a fix and flip (condo), and have to find a new electrician. My handyman knows people, but I have been unable to get insurance and licensing information from them. Of course they need both.

(I had a very reputable guy who came in, checked out the project, but never followed up).

One of his guys said that he has both and can provide insurance proof now. But he is reluctant to give me his license number because he says that if he does that, and I don't use him, he can later be falsely tied to the job if something goes wrong. Sounds like nonsense.

My guy also said that he prefers not to pull electrical permits, as the city would then bring in other inspectors for the other work done without permits. I don't believe that.

I think he's trying to find a way around this and use an unlicensed and uninsured electrician. No way will that happen.

I think I need to step in and find an electrician and ensure that permits are pulled. Any thoughts?

When we pull electrical permits, the electrician has to provide an affidavit he did the work, along with a regular inspection, before they close the permit.

NE, a condo is a different animal though, isn't it?

Total BS. His license is probably expired or something. People have their License #s on their trucks - as well as business cards, website, ads.

A client of mine, I am a licensed contractor, parents used a Russian immigrant to do all of their electrical work. He wasn't licensed and he used his experience from Russia to do work in America. Over there, when you need a part, it is hard to find and too costly. So you imper-vise. The result, three electrical fires in two years all from cutting corners, no permits, no insurance and no license.

Find a State licensed and bonded contractor and get recommendations.

Jeff, it's kind of hard to cut corners on electricity actually. It's either right or it's wrong. This guy may be an excellent electrician, just a fly by night sort. I had an electrician who was AMAZING. I used him when I didn't do the stuff myself. I used him for many years, but got rid of him for different reasons. He was absolutely qualified to do the work. No insurance or license or anything. I didn't care. Neither did he. Never once was I worried about his workmanship or capabilities.

NC requires electrical license number in any ad, contract, invoice. That requirement is often ignored. I am licensed , but have no insurance. Getting bonded and insured will be expensive and will be reflected in the price charged to the customer-- period!

I have had jobs turned down by ignorant inspectors-- expensive and time consuming for me--stopped progress on my job and created doubts about my ability with the customer. I changed nothing, went up the chain of command and the work was approved as originally presented. One of those was actually a superior wiring method that the inspector did not recognize. No one reimbursed me for my losses. So I like to avoid inspectors-- but I do good work.

A word of caution-- NM-B cable has for many years included date marking on the exterior sheathing-- so the inspector can often know about when the job was done. Cable is now color coded on the exterior, giving clues to the time period involved. My stock of new "old" undated cable is about exhausted, but my working days are ending anyway.

The inspections office deos have

A little trivia. All wiring and plumbing pipes have manufacturing dates printed on them. It helps the inspectors know when the work was done. If there is ever an insurance claim, this will be one of the first things an adjuster will look at.

I heard an old LL say that it may be a good idea to buy a supply of wire and keep it in storage. Kinda like wine.

NE, actually, you can cut corners, especially in electricity. Using improper stuff can have dire consequences. Check Robert J's post.

I never do any work myself, as I can't write my time off.

I also never use uninsured vendors for anything. I always get a copy of their liability certificate before they start any work.

This job is in a 19-story condo building. If I use an uninsured, unlicensed electrician and there is a fire, my exposure is huge.

I am surprised the Condo association does not have an approved vendors list.

Not dipping.... to funny.

Flipping